Talk by 2 and Beyond!

What you say and do helps a child communicate with you

Talk by 2 and Beyond! is an early identification and prevention strategy based on recent pediatric studies. Early identification makes a difference, it is the key to a child’s best start in life and is crucial to their life success. At First Words, early identification of speech and language delays as well as promotion of good language building strategies are important.

Act early! Early identification makes the difference. Refer families to First Words for a telephone screening (November 2016 ONLY) or as of December 5th, 2016, the Communication Checkup, an online screening tool. Alternatively, you can have them call Ottawa Public Health Iinformation at 613-580-6744 to speak to a Public Health Nurse.

We have a variety of materials available to help encourage speech and language development and identify the delay early. Help us spread the message because an early referral can mean a world of difference in a child’s life!

The best time to affect brain and behavioral growth is between the ages of 0 to 30 months. Early cognitive development is primarily driven by biology.

Children can be referred at any age. Whether they are 6 months or 24 months, children can be referred. Early referral and intervention before the age of 30 months result in better and faster outcomes for the child.

Children should communicate for the same reasons as adults do by age 1: By 12 months, infants should use communication to show, to label, to protest or refuse, to interact – just like adults do. But they will use the tools infants have: sounds, babbling, smiles, facial expressions, gestures and some words.

Children must babble by 12 months: Children with limited sounds or who don’t babble (ex: bada) by 12 months continue to have fewer words at 18 months, 24 months and even, 36 months. Refer early!

Children at 24 months use 100-150 words and 2-4 words sentences: Research shows that 50% of children who do NOT show these milestones at 24 months have persistent delays at age 3.

Children’s speech and language continue to develop after their second birthday. Check out the milestones for children until age 5.

“Think E-I-E-I-O to communicate with your child”

Helping children learn to talk is as easy as E-I-E-I-O. These simple rules are a great way to get children on the right path to healthy speech and language development!